Sarwono warns of more fires in September
Sarwono warns of more fires in September
JAKARTA (JP): State Minister of Environment Sarwono
Kusumaatmadja warned yesterday of more forest fires in September
as the dry season reaches its peak.
Speaking to reporters in his office here, Sarwono emphasized
the need to develop a "sense of urgency" toward the eminent
threat.
"If not, the forest fires we dealt with in 1982 will break out
again, and who knows, we might not be as lucky as then when heavy
downpours helped put out the fires," he said.
Some three-million hectares of land in Kalimantan and Sumatra
were ablaze in 1982, causing an estimated US$300 million in
damages.
"We should not take the problem lightly because the fires will
affect a great number of people both here and in neighboring
countries," Sarwono said.
The fires have resulted in thick haze both here and in
Malaysia and Singapore, Sarwono said.
The haze caused several airports in Sumatra and Kalimantan to
temporarily close down for several days over the last few months.
In Malaysia the haze has also reportedly posed respiratory
problems to many.
Sarwono said fire had so far destroyed some 16,000 hectares of
land in Kalimantan and Sumatra. Most fires were caused by the
slash-and-burn method of clearing land.
"Those are just the reported fires. I am sure the number is
higher than that," he said.
According to Sarwono, 6,000 hectares of forest fires were
caused by the opening of timber estates, while the rest by the
opening of farmland.
The fires are concentrated in Central Kalimantan. Other
flash points include West Kalimantan, Sumatra's Riau and Jambi
provinces.
Sarwono said forest fires destroyed 161,000 hectares of land
in 1994, while in 1995 and 1996 about 3,000 hectares were ravaged
each year.
Most fires were blamed on human carelessness and not natural
disaster.
Sarwono said he had reported next month's threat of widening
forest fires to President Soeharto, who promptly issued a letter
to the Ministry of Forestry and Ministry of Agriculture to take
preventive measures.
A meeting led by Coordinating Minister for People's Welfare
Azwar Anas to discuss the fires is scheduled for today.
Sarwono said he had received information from the United
States' National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that this
year's dry season was one of the worst in 50 years.
"There will be more problems of water shortages, skin problems
and respiratory diseases, as well forest fires," he warned.
"We must beware of that!" Sarwono asserted.
In a related development, the Central Java towns of Rembang,
Klaten and Boyolali have begun to feel the worst of the water
shortages.
"The districts worst hit by water shortages are Kaliori,
Sumber, Serang, Seda, Kragan, Sumbang and Rembang," Rembang
regency spokesman Nurcahyo said.
Wells have dried up and locals have been forced to fetch water
from wells far away or purchase it from vendors, he said.
Hundreds of thousands of residents in Boyolali, living in
Musuk and Selo villages on the foot of volcano Mt. Merapi, are
also experiencing the same plight.
Boyolali regency spokesman Sugiyanto said his office had
dispatched several trucks to deliver water supplies to drought-
stricken villages.
In Klaten, water shortages have hit the districts of Kemalang,
Karangnongko, Tulung and Jatinom. (aan/har)